Posted: 12/27/05
Skull discovery still a mystery
By Jane Palen
Managing Editor
A human skull found in a Spring Grove home has authoritiesóand the homeownersóperplexed.
On Friday, December 16, a mason working at the home of Carlyn and Joycelyn Rostad at 317 Division Street discovered a skull in an ash bin in the basement of the home. The bin was used to collect ash from an upstairs fireplace. The medical examinerís office on Hastings has indicated that the remains are of a man about 30 years old, and estimated that the skull was in the home prior to 1967.
Joycelyn Rostad said she was at Spring Grove High School, where she works as a counselor, when a secretary came to her ashen-faced and told her that the Chief of Police wanted to talk to her.
When Joyce got on the phone, Chief Paul Folz informed her that a masonry contractor hired to repair her fireplace had discovered a human skull in the basement pit.
Joycelyn said she and her husband were startled, to say the least. But they werenít creeped out.
ìPeople think itís eerie. They ask how we can stay in the house,î said Joycelyn. ìI have no problem staying here. We love our house. Itís an old Victorian. Weíve already spent 38 years here. We had company for 38 years that we didnít know about.î
The Rostads are only the sixth owners of the home, which was built in 1893.
One of the owners was a Dr. Nelson, who had his office in the room with the fireplace connected to the ash pit. He lived there from 1911 to 1931. Joycelyn said she would like to think the skull was one that he had as a model and tossed down the fireplace when he moved.
ìI wouldnít want to think there was a murder,î she said.
The Rostads plan to use their fireplace, and are curious to see what comes of the investigation.
Anyone with information that may be helpful in the investigation is urged to call the Spring Grove Police Department at 507-498-5221.
Caledonia Argus
314 West Lincoln St.
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Caledonia, MN 55921-0227
507/724-3475
E-Mail: editor.argus@ecm-inc.com